One-Eyed Monster

Kadi stared in wonder as the sparks reignited.

It was only at this point that he realized his own previous efforts to keep these sparks lit had fallen short. All he had managed to do was strengthen the entire Fire Tree, making it less likely to be knocked over. The sparks and the silver flowers twinkling seemed to have a will of their own; their glow was not something he could control.

His Fire Tree was merely a support platform, allowing these sparks and silver flowers to bloom freely atop it…

He now finally understood—everything required collective effort to bear fruit.

At the same time, he noticed that Kuren’s place on the Fire Tree was quite significant. His tree provided the foundation, while Kuren’s flowers were the catalysts; Kuren’s blooming flowers were able to kindle large patches at once…

Though Kadi didn’t fully understand the mechanics of this, he still found it very amusing.

Kadi observed the Fire Tree Silver Flower once more. At this moment, the tree seemed quite tall and strong, standing on its own without him having to guard it constantly.

Now he could free himself up to aid Igor and Kuren.

Such a precious moment should not be squandered.

Though he knew he couldn’t enter the Inner World to provide substantial help, he could offer a different perspective as an observer.

After all, an outsider might have a clearer perspective!

Thinking of this, Kadi couldn’t help but feel his spirits lift. It’s time to reignite my fighting spirit and face off against this Dark Force!

At this moment, Igor and the others were engaged in a fierce battle, striving to contend with the vast army of the Dark Force.

Though their formation had been shattered, the army was still an army, rolling on with crushing momentum.

The numerical advantage was on full display at this juncture. Even though the Resistors possessed exceptional abilities, they were at a slight disadvantage against the Puppet Soldiers, who were as numerous as the sea.

This disadvantage was one of stamina. One cannot maintain peak vigor in battle indefinitely; there needs to be an opportunity to catch one’s breath. However, these Puppet Soldiers were relentless. They didn’t tire and were always obedient to commands.

Bravery alone would not suffice to navigate out of this predicament.

Mutual assistance was essential; without collaboration, all efforts would be in vain.

The Dark Force realized its isolation had been breached. It was astounded. Unbeknownst to it, its own laws had somehow been broken. Though it couldn’t comprehend this, it didn’t panic; it was, after all, the ultimate controller here and could adapt to any situation.

However, the laws of the entire Illusionary Realm now seemed to have changed, and it could no longer do as it pleased.

While the advantage of its Puppet Soldiers remained, its previous ability to completely devour its opponents was now gone. After a silent sigh, the Dark Force began to formulate new plans.

Ultimately, my goal is to separate them again. Only after separating them can I calmly and unhurriedly set my own laws in the Illusionary Realm, and then devour these Resistors one by one.

But now that this group had discovered the secret, it probably wouldn’t be so easy to separate them anymore.

To date, this is the first time I’ve endured such a struggle.

Nevertheless, it doesn’t matter; these people will eventually fail. I won’t give them the slightest chance.

For now, I’ll use my numerical advantage to control them, and then think of other solutions. I have thousands of ingenious minds; I can pluck a solution from any one of them at will...

The Dark Force was feeling quite smug and joyful at this moment.

Wait!

Right when its smugness was about to send it soaring, a bucket of cold water was thrown in its face.

This metaphorical bucket of cold water wiped out all its previous advantages at once.

What is happening?!

Why is the number of my Puppet Soldiers decreasing so rapidly? This isn’t normal!

Upon closer observation, it suddenly noticed a colossal beast that had emerged amongst the Resistors. It was gigantic, as if the size of a small hill…

The Puppet Soldiers… were being devoured by this enormous beast.

The beast opened its Gaping Mouth and, with a GOBBLE, grabbed the Puppet Soldiers and swallowed them whole. Its actions were swift and decisive.

This single grab from the beast shattered the Puppet Soldiers’ formation, and that one gulp drastically reduced their numbers…

Hundreds of soldiers vanished in an instant, and the speed of their disappearance was alarming.

If this continues, in a little while, my advantage of tens of thousands will be completely gone!

Moreover, where did this beast come from? How did it suddenly appear here?

This question bothered the Dark Force. Over the course of countless years, it had witnessed Corpse Eaters, ogres, and all manner of Devouring Beasts, but never before had it seen such a creature.

What in the world is this beast?!

Perhaps only a few people could answer this question.

”That’s a Cloud Beast. It likes to devour,” Igor said quietly from the sidelines.

Kuren watched in amazement as all this unfolded. He had only heard of such creatures in legends and did not expect Igor to be able to conjure one.

Without a doubt, the appearance of the Cloud Beast lightened their burden a great deal.

Cloud Beasts, much like White Cloud Fruit, were legendary. The beast was pure as a white cloud. Its method of dealing with things it disliked was simple—devour them.

In the eyes of the Cloud Beast, the world should be as pure as the blue sky and white clouds, devoid of any repulsive flowers or dirty fruits.

If it sensed any evil or filth, it would not hesitate to devour it…

To the Cloud Beast, these Puppet Soldiers were evil fruits. Their existence was not to be tolerated. It had to devour them…

”Is it really okay for the beast to do this? After all, these Puppet Soldiers haven’t really done anything wrong. They are innocent,” said Kadi, who had joined the periphery of the battlefield. Of course, he couldn’t participate directly in the battle and could only offer tactical advice.

”There is no room for mercy on the battlefield,” Kuren answered Kadi’s question. ”The controlled people may be innocent, but if we don’t break through them, how can we unearth the one controlling them from behind the scenes? Hesitation and mercy on the battlefield will only distance us further from victory.”

Igor remained silent, entrusting everything to the Cloud Beast—even if it meant his friend, Hustace, being devoured.

Since the Cloud Beast is a Divine Beast that eradicates all evil and filth, he believed, then it must have a way to help those engulfed in this sea of suffering escape their predicament.

Igor firmly believed the Cloud Beast could accomplish this.

Naturally, this Cloud Beast was a creature conjured by Igor in his Inner World. Unlike Kuren, he possessed the ability to create freely, transcending the established environment of the realm. This was something Kuren couldn’t comprehend how Igor managed to do.

Not only Kuren, but even the Dark Force couldn’t understand what kind of being this young boy was, to be able to exist beyond its laws...